Ezra J. Temko

Please click here to open a PDF copy of the proposed budget developed by City Staff.

This budget includes a proposed tax increase.

This is a 12 cent increase for the next year and an 8 cent increase for the following year.  The 12 cent increase is designed to cover current expenses, pay for 5 new police officers, repair sewer lines, buy the recycling cans to initiate the recycling program, further fund the pension plan, and complete initial site work at the Curtis Paper Mill site.  The 8 cent tax increase is aimed at increasing the city’s cash reserves, which have been hurt by past losses in our utility and by our reservoir lawsuit settlement.

A 12 cent increase for 2009 means an estimated increase of $119 for single-family detached dwellings, $66 for single-family townhomes, and $59 for multi-family condominium apartment units.

The city’s budget is an important document because it sets the city’s priorities and programs and has a financial impact on residents.  It is very important that we are extremely intentional about the budget that passes.

To that end, I encourage you to

1) Read over the budget.  Again, you can do so by clicking here.

2) Come to Monday’s public hearing on the budget.  It is at the beginning of the agenda for the city council meeting.

3)  Come to a special town hall workshop meeting being hosted by the West Newark Civic League.  Finance Director Dennis McFarland will be at this meeting to answer any questions and discuss the budget.  This meeting will be in Council Chambers at City Hall on Thursday, November 20, at 7pm.